Why call them weapons?

[mickeyfinn]

Firearms ownership is so controversial. Why do so many people insist on calling all firearms "weapons?"

"Weapon" just sounds a lot more ominous than pistol, revolver, rifle, handgun and so on.

"I bought a new revolver this weekend" just sounds a lot better than, "I bought a new weapon this weekend," especially to one of the Brady bunch.

You may think I'm picking nits here but why give the anti-gun people any ammo?

A firearm is NOT a weapon unless or until it is USED as a weapon. A baseball bat is a baseball bat unless someone uses it to beat somebody. THEN it's a weapon.

Even self-defense guns are simply firearms until they are used in a self defense situation. Then they can be called weapons.

[warbird1]

Well most anything can be used as a weapon but you make a great point. I prefer firearm myself unless I am talking about a particular pistol or revolver.

[mickeyfinn]

Well most anything can be used as a weapon but you make a great point. I prefer firearm myself unless I am talking about a particular pistol or revolver.

Thank you. I just hate to give the anti-gun people anything to pounce on.

They seem to call all firearms "weapons." I don't want to have that in common with them.

[b4uqzme]

Oh, they will pounce whether we give them something or not. But good point and good advice to watch what we say in "mixed" company. It's important to remember that we are ambassadors to firearms ownership...and to always represent the community in a good light.

[mickeyfinn]

Oh, they will pounce whether we give them something or not. But good point and good advice to watch what we say in "mixed" company. It's important to remember that we are ambassadors to firearms ownership...and to always represent the community in a good light.
^
^
^
Wish I said that.:)

[Bawanna]

It just occurred to me that I seldom use the word weapon, hardly ever in fact.

Your plan makes good sense to me which puts it in question to the general public. I'm sometimes considered a little different.

[mickeyfinn]

It just occurred to me that I seldom use the word weapon, hardly ever in fact.

Your plan makes good sense to me which puts it in question to the general public. I'm sometimes considered a little different.

Read through this and other weapon, er, gun forums. The indiscriminate (and incorrect] use of "weapon" is all over the place.

[b4uqzme]

^^^^ a little?

What would the world be like if we were all the same? The sheep would be lonely. Just sayin'.

[RRP]

FWIW, the NRA has been discouraging the use of the word "weapon" for years. It's something they pound into all instructors, probably for the same reasons suggested in this thread.

Compliance is difficult for those with a military or law enforcement background, since "weapon" is so commonly used in those circles.

[bsmith712]

Been both a law enforcement firearms instructor and hunter education instructor for over twenty years and have preached this for years and years. I cringe when someone uses that word.

[SlowBurn]

I don't happen to use the word "weapon." But I don't have the LEO or military background that would've made it a habit, and I don't think I would try to change a habit of speech like that to be more politically correct.

To soft pedal the fact that my handguns are defensive weapons is conceding too much in the "great debate" with adversaries of the right to bear arms

[muggsy]

What's in a name. A rose by any other name would smell as sweet. (With apologies to the Bard.) I don't have a problem with the word weapon. To me the word carries no connotation. Weapons are neither good or evil. It's the uses that weapons are put to that are good or evil.

[wyntrout]

+1, Muggsy. I have a concealed weapon permit here in Florida. It allows me to carry concealed any legal weapon, not just firearms. Weapons are tools that can be used for defense or offense. That depends on the meaning of "is".

Wynn:)

[mickeyfinn]

+1, Muggsy. I have a concealed weapon permit here in Florida. It allows me to carry concealed any legal weapon, not just firearms. Weapons are tools that can be used for defense or offense. That depends on the meaning of "is".

Wynn:)

Yeah, you guys are right. Screw it. Let's keep the anti-gun folks riled up in petpetuity.

Let's just call all firearms "weapons" all the time.

"Say, is that an Anschutz target rifle?"

"Nope. That there is a weapon. I could kill you and your whole family with it real easy. I could do it from a distance too. :)

[garyb]

Last I knew, weapon was a word. Knives, bows, guns, handguns, tanks, jets....when they are used to kill, attack, inflict harm...they are in fact weapons. However, I happen to call my bow a bow, knife a knife, gun a gun. Who goes to the gun range and says, "I think I'll go shoot my weapon"???..... Or..."Here, cut that deer up with my weapon"?


I get the point of the post, but let's face it, anti gun folks are not going to stop being anti gun if we do or don't use the word "weapon". I simply don't see many archers or gun carrying folks referring to their tools as "weapons". Most of us call them guns and bows.

[Tilos]

"Weapon" is what is taught in the military, because it is...in the military.
just sayin'

[wyntrout]

About the only time I ever use the word "weapon" is when I'm talking about my carry permit. Florida permits CWP holders to carry ANY legal weapon concealed. I use the specific word for the device that I'm discussing... and, I carry more than one weapon at a time when I leave the house or am doing yard work. I've carried three or four at a time when I used to walk my dog... to give me options... lethal and non-lethal. If I hadn't, I would have had to shoot several large dogs that I held at bay just by using the noise and spark from a stun gun. Options are nice... especially when concerned with other people's pets... or stray animals. If you only have a "hammer" then it may only be appropriate for nails, but you will use what you have.

Wynn:)

[Tinman507]

Each & every NRA course I've taken has really drummed on avoiding the use of the "w" word. In fact the RSO course I took last year, it cost you a buck if you used it. The money went to youth shooting programs. After a few mistakes, folks got wise.

[Chuck54]

The most dangerous weapon is ........................

















Your mind ! :amflag:

[ripley16]

You may think I'm picking nits here but why give the anti-gun people any ammo?

You are being generously naïve if you believe the "anti" crowd gives a whit what you call your firearms. Whether weapons or daiseys, they will use any BS argument to fight you. You forget, their problem isn't in what it is... but rather that you are allowed to own it. Their fear is of you, not the gun. Personally, I spend zero time or effort worrying about what the left obsesses about. The only thing that matters these days is your vote.

[b4uqzme]

Yeah, you guys are right. Screw it. Let's keep the anti-gun folks riled up in petpetuity.

Let's just call all firearms "weapons" all the time.

"Say, is that an Anschutz target rifle?"

"Nope. That there is a weapon. I could kill you and your whole family with it real easy. I could do it from a distance too. :)


...speaking of "pouncing". It appears you were lying in wait for that one. :(

[ole hombre]

CONTEXT: The northern tribes (formerly called eskimos) had about 30 different words to describe snow, such as we now use ice, sleet, slush, etc.
I have at present only 7 guns, (firearms, weapons, rifles, pistols, revolvers, scatterguns... etc. I've called them all these things.
I guess we use the word in whatever CONTEXT is appropriate. Why would we avoid any one of those words when it would be appropriate to use it in a given situation?

[downtownv]

When Hillary launched an ashtray at President Cliton and gashed his forehead.... would they call that a weapon?

[ripley16]

When Hillary launched an ashtray at President Cliton and gashed his forehead.... would they call that a weapon?

No, they called it a vast right wing conspiracy.

[mickeyfinn]

When Hillary launched an ashtray at President Cliton and gashed his forehead.... would they call that a weapon?

Yes, the ashtray, in that instance, was a weapon. Funny you mentioned ashtrays.

I had a professor for a Philosophy 101 type class. The guy smoked like a fiend. (Back in the dark ages you could smoke anywhere. I did).

Anyway, one day he put this huge ashtray, (full of butts, I might add) on his head and asked, "What is this?"

Everyone in the class agreed it was indeed an ashtray.

"Wrong," he said. "It's a hat."

We all said, "Hmmmmm."

[mickeyfinn]

CONTEXT: The northern tribes (formerly called eskimos) had about 30 different words to describe snow, such as we now use ice, sleet, slush, etc.
I have at present only 7 guns, (firearms, weapons, rifles, pistols, revolvers, scatterguns... etc. I've called them all these things.
I guess we use the word in whatever CONTEXT is appropriate. Why would we avoid any one of those words when it would be appropriate to use it in a given situation?

I agree. Context is the key. If you bought a new .22LR target rifle to shoot in competitions would you say, "Look fellas, I bought a new weapon."

I guess I just object to the use of the word "weapon" to indiscriminately describe all firearms. And a lot of people do it.

I heard it again at the range recently.

A guy was unpacking a nice old Ruger MK II bull barrel and those .22 LR targets that have like 12 tiny targets on one "page." It looked to me like he was a target shooting enthusiast.

Another guy says to him, "Those are great old weapons."

Sorry, I had an inward cringe.

[Bawanna]

A lot of range officers are big on the word weapon. Holster your weapon, put your weapon on the bench, whatever.

Some of that carries over to guys like you encountered, nice old weapons.

Maybe it's a macho thing or something.

[muggsy]

I've often used the phrase "look at the length of my weapon" but, not in reference to any of my firearms. :)

[ripley16]

I've often used the phrase "look at the length of my weapon" but, not in reference to any of my firearms. :)

Most people call that a "snubnose". ;)

[Bawanna]

Or Snubbie for SHORT.

[muggsy]

Nice to see that you guys have got my back. Not much to hold onto up front. Two hundred pounds of dynamite with a half inch fuse. The story of my life. :)

[Bawanna]

We giggle with you not at you.................if that helps any.

[garyb]

A lot of range officers are big on the word weapon. Holster your weapon, put your weapon on the bench, whatever.

Some of that carries over to guys like you encountered, nice old weapons.

Maybe it's a macho thing or something.



Exactly....it is a term and an old one at that...nothing to make an issue of IMO. It is probably a term that will die off too. People take offense to silly things. Too literal for me.